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Secondary lung cancers

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Lung cancer is more commonly metastatic than primary in origin. Carcinomas and sarcomas may reach the lung from anywhere in the body by haematogenous or lymphatic spread. Mediastinal lymphomas and oesophageal carcinomas may invade into the lung directly.

Three macroscopic patterns are discernible:

  • parenchymal - due to metastases from:
    • solitary carcinoma of:
      • large bowel
      • breast
      • kidney
      • female genital tract - cervix, ovary
    • solitary sarcoma - osteogenic
  • multiple nodules - any carcinoma or sarcoma

  • endobronchial - due to metastases from:
    • carcinoma of:
      • kidney
      • large bowel
    • fibrosarcoma
  • malignant melanoma

  • lymphangitic - ie. diffuse intralymphatic dissemination due to metastases from:
    • stomach
    • breast
    • large bowel
    • pancreas

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